Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Senate Passes Stopgap Bill to Avoid December Government Shutdown
The U.S. Senate has made a plan to keep the government running until December 11 so that it doesn’t shut down before the big elections.
The plan is a temporary budget that keeps all federal agencies funded.
It takes out a $1 billion plan for new battleships and limits how much money can be moved to the Border Patrol.
It also stops a rule that would let senior staff look at grant applications to make sure they match the President’s wishes.
The bill is a stop‑gap that gives lawmakers more time to decide on the full budget after the elections.
If both the Senate and the House approve it, President Biden will sign it into law.
Senators introduced a bipartisan continuing resolution to fund federal agencies through December 11.
The bill removes a $1 billion allocation for new “Trump‑class” battleships and limits border‑patrol funding shifts.
It temporarily blocks a proposed rule that would let senior appointees review discretionary grant applications.
The measure postpones the larger fiscal debate until after the 2024 election season.
If approved, the bill will be sent to the House and then to President Biden for signature.
- Who
- US Senators John Thune, Susan Collins, and Patty Murray
- What
- A bipartisan stopgap spending bill (continuing resolution)
- When
- Unveiled now, to be voted on later this week, funding through December 11, 2024
- Where
- Washington, D.C., United States
- Why
- To prevent a government shutdown before the August recess and postpone the fiscal debate until after the 2024 election season
- Bill Type
- Continuing Resolution
- Funding Period
- through December 11, 2024
- Key Revisions
- Removed $1B for battleships, limited border patrol funding, blocked grant review rule
- Purpose
- Avoid shutdown before August recess
- Next Steps
- Vote in both chambers, sign by President